Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to tell you why I love podcasting.

I'm Sasha Johansson. I'm an Assistant Commissioner for the BBC,

and I work on making podcasts. My real passion is discovering unbelievable

unheard stories. I'm working with the biggest stars who can really bring those stories to life.

I love the whole process of making podcasts from the spark of an idea to hearing the final edit.

There's nothing like it. What makes BBC podcast special

is that we're working for you, so whatever we commission has to reflect the things that you

care about and love, wherever you are in the UK. So if you like this BBC podcast,

there's so much more to discover. Have a listen on BBC Sounds.

Everybody quiet in the winds, please.

Today we're going to immerse ourselves in the world of theatre, and we are in such good company.

Joining me in the studio is award-winning playwright and actor Lolita Chakrabati,

her theatre and screen acting credits range from starring roles at the old Vic to

screen roles like in the international blockbuster The Wheel of Time.

And last year Lolita got an OBE for services to drama. But today she is celebrating the great life

of another actor. One who, despite being born over two centuries ago, has reached through time

and been a huge inspiration to her. And I've got to say this life is a surprise and a revelation to

me. I can already see that she's excited to tell us about who the great life is. Lolita

introduced him to us. Thank you, yes, with pleasure. So I'm going to talk about Ira Aldridge,

a black American actor who came over from America in 1824, played in theatres across Britain

for nine years before appearing at the theatre Royal Covent Garden in 1833, where he played a fellow

and had a huge career across Europe. Was knighted and awarded, had patronage from royalty and

...